What's on the Menu for Christmas Dinner?

[BigJohn]

Cooking for 10 on Christmas Eve
Smoked Turkey
Apple Sausage Rye Dressing
Turkey Gravy
Smashed Potatoes
Brussel Sprouts
Buttered Corn
Green Bean Casserole
Cranberry Sauce

Strawberry Shortcake and Tiramisu for Dessert
Also making Linguini Baccala for those brave ones in my family!

Merry Christmast to all!

 

[jesusluvsu2005]

Anniebee, My husband and I have wondered for some time what Christmas pudding is. What does it taste like? Thanks!

We're going to my MIL's for Christmas Eve (not sure what she's fixing) and then to my mom and dad's for Christmas day. It'll bve a traditional turkey dinner. I need to make something to bring but haven't decided yet.

God bless,
Amanda

 

[BadGirl]

For Christmas Eve with my sisters and brothers-in law, I'm making:

Appetizer: Classic Reuben Brain
Entree: Baked Potato Soup, Spinach Salad, Pork Loin Roast, Mushroom Risotto
Dessert: Caramel Pecan Bread Pudding and a Streusel Apple Cranberry Pie



For Christmas Morning with the visiting step-kids, I'm making:
Mini-Cinnamon Christmas Tree Rolls, Country Breakfast Bake, and we're setting up a make-your-own pancake and waffle bar with bananas, chocolate chips, blueberries, strawberries and whipped topping.



For Christmas Night dinner at my nephew's house, I'm making a Coconut Cake.



Notice how almost all of my menu selections are using a Pampered Chef recipe? :chef:

 

[Teresa Lynn]

except for the brain it sounds good

 

[BadGirl]

except for the brain it sounds good

Ooopps.

Braid.

I really must learn not to go gettin' my drink on during lunchtime. :blushing:

 

[raebates]

We've changed our menu a bit. We'll be having Royal Blend rice instead of Au Gratin Potatoes. We decided our son might enjoy the rice, and it should go well with the duck.

 

[rennea]

Anniebee, My husband and I have wondered for some time what Christmas pudding is. What does it taste like? Thanks!

We're going to my MIL's for Christmas Eve (not sure what she's fixing) and then to my mom and dad's for Christmas day. It'll bve a traditional turkey dinner. I need to make something to bring but haven't decided yet.

God bless,
Amanda

Christmas pudding is a steamed pudding, heavy with dried fruit and nuts, and usually made with suet. It is very dark in appearance - effectively black - as a result of the dark sugars and black treacle in most recipes, and its long cooking time. The mixture can be moistened with the juice of citrus fruits, brandy and other alcohol. I have always thought of Christmas pudding as a required taste. I like mine drenched in brandy butter

 

[AnnieBee]

Anniebee, My husband and I have wondered for some time what Christmas pudding is. What does it taste like? Thanks!

Christmas Pudding is kind of like a really moist, VERY rich fruitcake, but is not made with a batter, and is not at all cakey, it looks almost black! It contains LOTS of dried fruit (raisins, currants, sultanas), candied peel, chopped almonds, orange and lemon zest, finely chopped apple, a tiny bit of flour and some bread crumbs. Then eggs, suet, stout (eg guiness) and brandy. Mix it all together, pack it into a pudding basin (ie a glass bowl shaped like our batter bowl). Wrap it tightly with a few layers of parchment paper, then foil and tie it up with string. Then steam it for 8 hours(!) my mum uses a pressure cooker which speeds it up). Then keep it in a cool place until Christmas day!! (It is better when made WELL ahead, even a month ahead).

When you are ready to serve it, you steam it again for a couple of hours to heat it through (again, much quicker in a pressure cooker!), then turn it out onto a plate, stick a sprig of holly in the top, pour on a couple of Tbsp of warmed brandy and set it on fire, then bring to the table!!

It is soooooo yummy! Oh, and you can also get metal Christmas pudding molds that are spherical, to make one that looks like the ones you see in pictures that are shaped like balls.

Best served with real whipped cream and brandy butter (butter, powdered sugar and brandy - basically a very stiff brandy flavoured buttercream).

My mouth is watering just thinking about it...

You really have to try it to get it.

And FYI, "pudding" in England is another word for dessert. So we would ask, "what's for pudding?" which over here makes no sense at all! What you call pudding, we would call "instant whip" or "angel delight" (brand names).

Traditionally a true pudding is a cake/dessert that is cooked by steaming in a pudding bowl. Most of them are more like dense moist cakes and are often served with custard. Christmas pudding is very unique! I miss them... I'll have to find some recipes to make myself!

 

[AnnieBee]

Oops - posting at the same time, Rennae! I figure one of the Canadians would know too!

Here's a picture for anyone who's interested...

 

[rennea]

Oops - posting at the same time, Rennae! I figure one of the Canadians would know too!

Here's a picture for anyone who's interested...

Yup your right, Canada is steeped in English traditions as well.

My family is also from Scotland and have many Scotish/English traditions.

 

[chefann]

Yup your right, Canada is steeped in English traditions as well.

That reminds me of a joke: Canada could have had the best in the world - the technology of the Americans, cuisine of the French and culture of the English. Instead, they ended up with the technology of the French, cuisine of the English and culture of the Americans.

 

[babywings76]

For Christmas Eve with my sisters and brothers-in law, I'm making:

Appetizer: Classic Reuben Brain
Entree: Baked Potato Soup, Spinach Salad, Pork Loin Roast, Mushroom Risotto
Dessert: Caramel Pecan Bread Pudding and a Streusel Apple Cranberry Pie



For Christmas Morning with the visiting step-kids, I'm making:
Mini-Cinnamon Christmas Tree Rolls, Country Breakfast Bake, and we're setting up a make-your-own pancake and waffle bar with bananas, chocolate chips, blueberries, strawberries and whipped topping.



For Christmas Night dinner at my nephew's house, I'm making a Coconut Cake.



Notice how almost all of my menu selections are using a Pampered Chef recipe? :chef:

What is the recipe for the Country Breakfast Bake? Is it kid pleasing?

 

[rennea]

That reminds me of a joke: Canada could have had the best in the world - the technology of the Americans, cuisine of the French and culture of the English. Instead, they ended up with the technology of the French, cuisine of the English and culture of the Americans.

Bah!!!!!!!

 

[AnnieBee]

And I add to that, what's wrong with English cuisine?!

 

[rennea]

And I add to that, what's wrong with English cuisine?!

Not a darn thing!!!!

 

[AnnieBee]

Rennea, I like you!

 

[chefann]

hmm... English cuisine = anything that can be boiled beyond recognition.I kid! I'm just joking.There's also deep fried fish. And curry.

 

[AnnieBee]

Ann, I *think* I can forgive you...

 

[chefann]

*kiss* You know I'm joking.
Big hugs!!

 

[AnnieBee]

Hugs back!

And believe me, if I didn't think you were kidding, I could mention a few interesting US "dishes"... But I don't think we need to resurrect the jello thread !

Just be sure to remember the English next time you make a trifle

 

[Jennie4PC]

We are dooing prime rib
twice baked potatoes
green bean casserol
and a cake

 

[BadGirl]

What is the recipe for the Country Breakfast Bake? Is it kid pleasing?

From "More Stoneware Sensations", p32.

1/4 cup green onions with tops, chopped
1/4 cup red bell pepper, chopped
3 cups frozen southern-style hash brown potatoes
4 slices bacon, partically cooked, cut up
3 tablespoons vegetable oil or bacon drippings
4 eggs
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 ounces Colby & Monterey Jack chese blend, shredded (1/2 cup)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Chop onions and bell pepper using Food Chopper, place in 9" square baker. Add potatoes, bacon and oil; mix well and spread evenly over bottom of Baker. Bake 20 minutes, stirring potato mixture after 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees F. Remove baker from oven and make 4 impressions in potato mixture with back of Bambo Spoon. Bread an egg into each impression. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Return to oven; continue baking 15 minutes or until eggs are set. Remove from oven. Using Deluxe Cheese Grater shred cheese evenly over eggs. Yield: 4 servings. Can easily be doubled and cooked in 9 x 13 pan.

 

[raebates]

Hugs back!

And believe me, if I didn't think you were kidding, I could mention a few interesting US "dishes"... But I don't think we need to resurrect the jello thread !

Just be sure to remember the English next time you make a trifle

What? You don't like spit-roasted groundhog? Frankly, the mere thought of Bubble and Squeak scares me. LOL!

 

[AnnieBee]

What? You don't like spit-roasted groundhog? Frankly, the mere thought of Bubble and Squeak scares me. LOL!

At least it's vegetarian!!! (Unlike the ground hog )

 

[raebates]

Yeah, groundhog isn't particularly vegetarian-friendly. Then again, the recipes I've seen for Bubble and Squeak include bacon and ham, so it's not exactly vegetarian either. Of course, it's easier to leave the animal products out of Bubble and Squeak than it is groundhog.

 

[scottcooks]

Prime Rib (I'm thinking in the DCB!)
Garlic Roasted Red Potatoes (stoneware bar pan)
Green Beans
Wine du jour
Salad
Fresh Rolls from scratch (but we do use the bread machine to knead it!)
Chocolate Raspberry Cookie Trifle...having Christmas at home, not travelling, no inlaws, no outlaws. Dec.28th is the tot's adoption anniversary so they'll each plant an amaryllis.

 

[elizabethfox]

We are eating with the DH family and I think we are having baked cornish hens, roasted potatoes, salad, some fruit yogurt thing, and bread

 

[PamperChefCarol]

You know how you always see those people at the grocery store on Christmas eve or Thanksgiving eve with the frozen rock solid turkey and you just shake your head...

That was me today!!! We had a family emergency that took us out of town from Sunday until late this afternoon. Happy to have gone, but really messed me up on shopping, etc. Presents are very limited, and we had to stop on the way back from Traverse City to pick up Christmas dinner. I was the lady, totally frazzled, in the Meijer store today trying to figure out how I was going to get this done.

You would me amazed at how fast you can work, once you set your mind to it. So far, the sweet potatoes are mashed and ready for the oven, the topping for them is ready, the dressing is all put together (no stuffing a bird here.. just a turkey breast. Hopefully it will defrost by mid afternoon Christmas day). There is going to be some sort of escalloped or gratin of potatoes, but can't say which.

Shrimp for appetizers, asparagus for veggie and a store bought (yes, I can't believe I am saying this) raspberry pie for dessert,

One thing I learned this past week, it's not about the food or presents, it's about the people. Out tree is only half decorated, and there are very few gifts, but like I said, it's not about any of that. Merry Christmas to all.

 

[raebates]

I believe that those holidays where nothing goes as planned are often the most memorable. I hope your day is filled with love and joy!

 

[jwpamp]

Prime Rib
Potato Bake (Mashed Potatoes with Bacon Grease and Hidden Valley Ranch Dip Mix, layered with Bacon and Cheese -- bake for 30 minutes)
Fresh Greens Salad
Rolls
Green Beans
Peppermint Creme Pie

Yum!!